2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems
- 46
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 46 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- check engine · 20 records
- engine light · 14 records
- valve cover · 7 records
- light came · 7 records
- power steering · 6 records
- fuel gauge · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 19 |
| 100–150k mi | 12 |
| 30–60k mi | 6 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine · Power Train
After several hours of normal highway driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power as the engine computer entered "limp home" mode. Pressing the accelerator had no effect. Diagnosed as throttle position sensor failure. This problem occurred several times, with an engine restart clearing the problem temporarily. While these incidents did not result in a crash, they could easily have, depending on traffic…
ODI 10732464
Engine · Exterior Lighting
After 141,000 miles the engine threw a rod, i had heard a clicking noise for a while but was assured it was a normal engine sound after taking it to the dealer. I change my oil regularly and have my slips, the engine completely failed while driving. In the last year and a half i am having to replace approximately one low beam headlamp per month.
ODI 10870085
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Vehicle Speed Control
My santa fe awd 2008 was bought in june 2009 and now has ~99k mileage. I had four or five similar incidents with my santa fe starting on 4/21/15, which led to significant power loss and speed loss of the car on the road. The first time, i was driving on a local road at ~25 mph. Suddenly i felt the car lost the power and began to slow down. I stepped down on the accelerator, but the car could not accelerate (the…
ODI 10744337
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
I was driving to a stop light on a down hill slope with my whole family in the car when all of the sudden my car turned off. All at once my check engine light came on, my battery light came on, and i couldn't get the car to re-start. I turned on the emergency flashers and at the middle of a busy intersection i tried to restart my car but nothing happened. A few moments later i tried again and it started but it…
ODI 10680096
Electrical System · Engine
After engine start and while driving any speed the battery light and seatbelt light on the dashboard flashes intermittently. I searched this online and it looks to be an electrical charging issue, namely the alternator is bad. I searched more and found the reason for this is the front valve cover is leaking oil and dripping onto the alternator causing it to malfunction. A recall has been made ( #121) on the 07-12…
ODI 10661468
Engine · Power Train
My vehicle experience a malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with the etc (electronic throttle control) system related dtc p2135 ( forced limited power) or dtc p0638 (power management). *tr
ODI 10633373
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
While driving on i-95, the charging system warning light came on followed by a loss of engine power and then engine stopped completely. Was able to safely make it to the road side. Dealer diagnosed a defective valve cover gasket allowed oil to leak which dripped on and into the alternator causing it to fail. Second identical failure on vehicle in two years. V-6, automatic, 2wd. Found manufacturer just issued a…
ODI 10626534
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Safety issue: failure of the fuel sending unit permanently turns on the "check engine light" which denies the use of the "check engine light" for other serious conditions. Many consumers have previously reported the failure of the fuel sending unit. These units cost between $800 to $1200 to fix so most drivers do not fix it and instead use the odometer reading to determine when fuel is needed. Unfortunately, driving…
ODI 10734012
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
My santa fe limited awd 2008 was bought at the end of feb 2009 and now has ~44k mileage. I had two similar incidents with my santa fe today (7/6/2014), which led to significant power loss and speed loss of the car on the road. The first time, i was driving on a local road at ~45 mph. Suddenly i felt the car lost the power and began to slow down. I stepped down on the accelerator, but the car could not accelerate…
ODI 10608491
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
I also had the fuel sensor go out and had it fixed. And i had to have my alternator replaced twice. Once when it went out and again in 9 months due to recall for a fuel gasket cover default. So i paid the first time out of pocket $700 only to find out it was probably due to the default. Lynda
ODI 10788333
Engine · Power Train
Throttle accelerated by itself and was stuck wide open. Could not get the throttle to disengage. I tried tapping the gas pedal several times and this did nothing. Managed to hold both feet on brake and downshift into low. I got vehicle onto shoulder and put it in neutral and the engine continued to run full throttle. I shoved it into park and turned the key off. The engine did not disengage until the key was turned…
ODI 10578604
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
Once my car has gone 200 miles on a tank the check engine light comes on and the fuel gauge is not accurate. The fuel gauge will show completely empty and then change to more than 1/4 tank and back. Once the tank is refilled the check engine light goes off and then comes back on and acts the same after again going 200 miles. The dealer said the warranty is only good to 60000 or 5 years on the fuel sensor but reading…
ODI 10578669
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
(2008 hyundai santa fe) the vehicle gas gauge is sticking on empty after filling it up and the check engine light comes on. After 1/4 tank of gas has been consumed the gas gauge will read normal. The check engine light will also go off. There has not been a loss in power to the engine or any other indicators that there is a problem. This issue can be reproduced every time after fill up. The tank does not have to be…
ODI 10592121
Engine · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
The first time i came out to start my car and looked up, there was smoke coming from under the hood and wouldn't start. I had it towed. I was informed it was the starter. The starter was replaced and approximately 6 months later, i noticed a brushing sound when i started the car. Over time it became more often. I returned the car several times to the independent auto shop. They couldn't find out the noise. In the…
ODI 10678753
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the fuel level sensor circuit was providing erroneous fuel level readings. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 02/27/14*lj
ODI 10561189
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
Front valve cover gasket keep leaking oil on to the alternator causing the alternator to go out . The second time it happen the core of the alternator burned .i have replace the alternator 3 times and valve cover gasket twice. Hyundai have a recall on the veracruz for this some issues but will not recall the santa fe for this issues .
ODI 10743767
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Upon turning the engine on, my gas gauge showed empty when i knew there was more gas than that. Then it started to fluctuate up and down . I checked my range indicator and it was blinking the word "range" (which normally doesn't) and the numbers were dashes only. As i continued to drive my check engine light came on. It showed quarter tank then empty and back to some gas. The range indicator started going up and…
ODI 10550945
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
As noted in other complaints, my check engine light came on and my fuel gauge will not register the amount of fuel, it fluctuates from empty to a 1/4 tank to 3/4 tank. The fuel sensors are bad. There should be a recall for this. This is a known problem based on nhtsa complaints but yet it appears that hyundai will not take action. This problem began right after i hit the 60,000 mile mark. *tr
ODI 10522834
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
On 5/15/13 i had my stop lamp switch replaced per recall campaign 110. The following day, i noticed cold engine fluctuation and surging. This has happened regularly, with the engine sometimes fluctuating up to nearly 2000rpm while the car is in park. Gradually, the issue progressed to difficulty accelerating and a shaking/hesitation feeling while downshifting that feels like the engine is going to stall out, but it…
ODI 10521113
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
As i was driving at approximately 35mph going up a hill, my 2008 hyundai santa fe accelerated at a very high rate of speed and pushing the brakes at full pressure only slowed the vehicle it would not stop and the engine revved. I was in a panic because vehicles were in front of me and i almost slammed into them. I managed to pull to the side and travel on the side of the road trying to stop my vehicle. I finally…
ODI 10491493
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Visibility/Wiper
The gas gauge has not been working for over 2 years and the check engine light is on most of the time but will go off intermittently. We track gas usage with the trip odometer (20 miles per gallon x 17 gal tank=340 miles driven) but fill up around 275 miles driven. But this is not a reliable way to track fuel and it was bound to happen-we ran out of gas-unfortunately on the tollway. Now we want to fix it. We have…
ODI 10670572